‘My student’s RM50 thank you is priceless’
GEORGE TOWN: Retired teacher Nawi Ismail was his usual self, delivering an inspiring speech to students preparing for STPM at a school in Kemaman, Terengganu last year.
One of them eventually scored 4As and gave Nawi RM50 as a token of appreciation.
Describing the amount as priceless, Nawi, 62, said he didn’t want to accept it in the beginning.
“He is from a poor family and I was worried that he could have taken the money from his parents.
“But the teacher who passed me the money said it’s the student’s hard-earned money. He was working at a night market.
“I will not use the money, and will keep it as a remembrance that a student who I have never met took my speech seriously and did well,” he said during a press conference after receiving the National Teacher Icon Award 2019 at the National Teachers Day celebration at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre yesterday.
Nawi said he could not recall what he had said during the talk.
“It must be some words that motivated him to study hard.
“I said it was important for those from poor families to study as it was the only way out of poverty.
“Apparently, he was weak in his studies and did not have interest in school.
“I always like students who are weak in their studies but are willing to try rather than those who are smart but do not make the effort.
“Those who are willing to try will always succeed and I believe we can always change our circumstances by working hard,” he added.
On receiving the award, Nawi said he was honoured by the gesture.
“Throughout my career, I never thought about this award or imagined that I could win it one day.
“I have always wanted to become a teacher since I can remember, so teaching is my dream.
“Despite receiving offers to teach in colleges or work for the education department, I stuck to teaching in school till the very end of my teaching career,” said the grandfather of three, who hopes to continue writing and visiting schools for motivational talks as long as his health permits.
His 37 years of teaching began at SMK Panji Alam, Kuala Terengganu in 1980 and ended in 2017 at SM Teknik Kuala Terengganu.
The former Bahasa Melayu teacher received the award from Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He was joined by National Education Leadership Icon Award 2019 winner Datuk Asariah Mior Shaharuddin on stage.
Both of them received RM50,000 each, a gold medal (worth RM10,000) and an appreciation plaque.
The National Teachers Day celebration hosted by Penang this year was themed “Guru: Obor Hemah Menyinari Pertiwi” (Teachers: The torch that lights the land).
This theme is inspired by a poem by national laureate Datuk Seri A. Samad Said.